Teen charged in Dubuque mall fire

A 13-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with a fire that caused damage inside a shopping center in Dubuque. Police say Mitchel McArthur of Dubuque is charged with first-degree arson and reckless use of fire.

The teen is accused of starting a fire in the men’s restroom in a Sears store located in the Kennedy Mall on the afternoon of December 15. The mall was evacuated as heavy smoke spread through the second floor of the department store.

Although the fire was quickly extinguished, damage from the smoke was estimated at $100,000. No one was injured. Dubuque Police believe the teen also tried to start another fire in a different restroom inside Kennedy Mall the previous day, but that fire did not cause any damage.